NENA announces program to field-test wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy
COLUMBUS, OH—The National Emergency Number Association today announced its new field testing and certification program for wireless 9-1-1 applications. The first element of the program will verify that wireless 9-1-1 callers will be located within the accuracy requirements mandated by the FCC and that their calls for emergency services will be correctly routed to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP).
NENA’s program will ascertain carrier compliance with the FCC regulations, regardless of the location determination technology deployed and regardless of the underlying wireless communications technology.
To deploy the program, NENA has formed a strategic alliance with RCC Consultants. “NENA and RCC have designed this program to provide benefits to the three major constituents of wireless E9-1-1,” said Mark Adams, NENA executive director. “First, certification provides comfort to the wireless network operators that the technology they selected meets FCC rules by accurately determining the location of the emergency caller. Second, the governmental entities that operate the 9-1-1 system and the PSAPs have an independent, unbiased test that provides that the location of the emergency call is both accurately determined and that the call is routed to the proper PSAP. And third, the public—more than 65% of whom cite security as a reason for buying wireless devices and service—will be assured that the wireless operators and the PSAPs have made their best effort to ensure that emergency calls will be properly routed and that callers will receive help.”
Further information concerning the certification program will be provided at NENA’s 2001 annual conference, to be held June 24–28 in Orlando, FL.